Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 18:31

Who are “those who are perishing”? How do they see the cross? Who are the saved? How do they see the cross?

How can people hear the message of Christ differently?

How does the message of the Cross contrast with what most people consider wise?

How does the cross destroy the wisdom of men and why does God want to destroy it? How does verse 24 fit in with this verse? Isaiah 29:14, 55:8-9; Jeremiah 9:23-24

A.W. Tozer in his book, The Knowledge of the Holy” says these words, “When Christian theology declares that God is wise. It means vastly more than it says or can say, for it tries to make a comparatively weak word bear an incomprehensible fullness of meaning that threatens to tear it apart and crush it under the sheer weight of the idea.” What do you think he means?

Give current day examples of the wise, the scribe and the debater of this age.

What are some examples of the wisdom of the world (wise)? What are some of the popular Philosophies of our day?

What role do you think the media (news, television shows, movies, etc.) play in influencing us to trust the wisdom and advice of the world?

How does prayer help us combat the wisdom of the world?

Why is Christ crucified a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greeks? Why the different words?

What does the “foolishness of God” mean? Can you think of any examples of this in the Bible?

Why does God express His power and wisdom through “foolish,” “weak,” and “lowly” means?

What makes the difference with those who are called? Why is it wisdom to us and not others? Are we just smarter?

Verse 27: why? This verse seems to say that Christianity is against rational thinking. Is it?

What does it mean “the things that are not, so that he may bring to nothing (the things) that are”?

How can we boast in the Lord?

Why do some refuse to believe?

How does the wisdom of man conflict with God’s design?

The end of this chapter (vs 26-31) has two interwoven messages. They are closely related but significantly different and it is important that we understand both of them:
A) the source of our righteousness, i.e., being right with God and
B) the key Christian quality of humility.
What do these mean to you personally?